Shinji Matou at Your Service

In the study of Millennia Castle, Shakespeare hummed a tune as he enthusiastically wrote his manuscript.

"This time, without a doubt, the evil Demon King and Empress were defeated. Although it can't be called a perfect ending, it's already quite good. As the saying goes, 'The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together.' Nothing can be perfect, even our works."

For him, the outcome of the war was just a change of scenery for his writing. As a writer without any physical strength, he only needed to faithfully fulfill his duty as an author—this was also his agreement with the mysterious Master who had already left.

Shakespeare loved writing and enjoyed completing the works he started.

At his level, he no longer cared about others' praise. As long as he could make an already interesting story even more interesting, that was everything to him.

He believed.

He believed in people's dreams, ambitions, and anger.

In this world, interesting and fun things woll never disappear. Even if they did, he would provide them.

This story was also very interesting and fun.

Everyone was doing their best to live and think. Whether it was tragedy or comedy, or something else entirely—recording all of this was a supreme happiness for him.

"Be they Heroic Spirits, humans, magi, or even homunculi, the materials are the same. 'We are such stuff as dreams are made on'... The dreams of Amakusa Shirou Tokisada, Semiramis, Jeanne d'Arc, and Matou Shinji. If these intense and ephemeral dreams aren't recorded, can one still be called a writer?"

The speed of his typing increased, and Shakespeare's thoughts flowed like a spring. Large sections of text poured from his fingertips, forming splendid chapters that were simultaneously recorded in human history.

After typing the final period, the great writer thought for a moment and opened a new document.

"Let's write an Apocrypha, describing the current situation of the surviving participants. I'm sure many people would like to read it."

"Since it's an apocrypha, let's write it casually, without being too formal."

"Yes, let's do that."

When it came to writing, Shakespeare always wrote whatever came to mind, regardless of day or night.

After the war ended, the participants from the Yggdmillennia family returned to their headquarters in Millennia Castle. While repairing the castle damaged by the war, they actively engaged in negotiations with the Clock Tower.

Due to the intervention of the Second Magician, the Clock Tower did not pursue the Yggdmillennia family's rebellion excessively, merely imposing symbolic punishments. Although more than half of the Lords expressed dissatisfaction, they shamelessly abandoned their original stance under the temptation of the old man's "three new disciples."

Although becoming a disciple of the Jewel Man basically equated to being labeled as a failure, there were exceptions. Moreover, this was a great opportunity to get closer to one of the undisputed giants of the mystic world. In no time, the Lords of the Clock Tower had forgotten about the Yggdmillennia family's rebellion, each returning to their respective departments, bustling day and night to select candidates.

In this context, the aftermath of the Holy Grail War was quietly smoothed over in just half a month. To show sincerity, the current family head's younger brother, Caules Forvedge Yggdmillennia, enrolled in the Clock Tower, becoming a member of the El-Melloi Classroom, known as a shelter for problem children.

Joining Caules was Chiron, under the alias Karon Yggdmillennia. As a teacher, he was very interested in this largest and highest academy of the mystic world.

For unknown reasons, the case of the Yggdmillennia family's Servant materialization was strictly classified, known only to the core members of the Clock Tower. Thanks to this, Chiron's entry into the Clock Tower caused no ripples, except among the top brass of the Spiritual Evocation Division. These people almost treated Chiron like a god, merely asking him to cooperate with a few periodic experiments.

Incidentally, upon learning Chiron's true identity, El-Melloi II went to great lengths to finally persuade this legendary teacher to give lectures in the classroom.

Reliable sources indicated that Chiron's popularity soared quickly after he started teaching at the Clock Tower, almost rivaling that of El-Melloi II himself. Moreover, due to his cheerful smile and gentle personality, he quickly became the new most desired partner among the women of the Clock Tower (the previous titleholder was Waver himself).

According to insiders, the famously overworked El-Melloi II shouted "Finally, no more overtime..." repeatedly in his rented house on the day Chiron started teaching and promptly took a week's vacation to stay home and play games.

On the other hand, although they did not obtain the Greater Grail, the Executors collected enough data. Using this as a foundation, combined with the Clock Tower's technological prowess, the Lords were confident they could recreate a similar miracle. As long as there was a glimmer of hope leading to the Root, they would continue to strive. This was the legacy of the magi.

Having discussed the Clock Tower, let's talk about things outside the Clock Tower.

Three days after the war ended, Laeticia left Romania and returned to France. Usually, the most obedient and well-behaved student, her sudden disappearance from school for more than ten days, despite her roommate covering for her, was bound to arouse suspicion from the school authorities. Returning as soon as possible was the best choice. The reason for the three-day delay was twofold: first, the Yggdmillennia family needed time to come up with a suitable explanation, and second, both Laeticia and Jeanne were reluctant to leave their comrades who had fought alongside them.

Yes, Jeanne stayed as well. Perhaps because the Greater Grail did not grant their wish, there was no forced termination of the summon. Jeanne also wanted to take a good look at this world, so she continued to possess Leticia.

However, from the moment they boarded the plane, Laeticia became the primary consciousness, with Jeanne experiencing the life of an ordinary girl as an observer. This was a suggestion jointly made by Shinji and Laeticia during their late-night sketching sessions, to help Jeanne make up for the regrets of her past life.

Artpria, who emerged from the Avalon, stayed with Mordred for about a week in the modern world, which was the maximum time she could remain. With the departure of unstable factors, the world order began to gradually return to normal. As an agent of the Counter Force and an existence out of sync with the times, she had to return to the inner side of the world, or else she would be rejected by the modern world.

Although the time was short, it was a truly magical period for Mordred. The father she had longed for acknowledged her, and they lived together as father and son, laughing, playing, and enjoying good food together. Everything she had hoped for in her previous life was fulfilled, and her heartfelt smiles were recorded by Kairi, becoming the most precious memories.

After Artoria's return, Mordred and Kairi went to the Middle East, one of the most chaotic regions in both the mundane and mystical worlds. Both were restless individuals; a peaceful daily life was just a holiday diversion, and the battlefield was their true home.

Soon after, the entire mercenary community knew that the famous Kairi Sisigou had gained a partner even more ferocious than himself. When you hear a shout of "Yah-ho!" and see a military Humvee speeding in defiance of physical laws, with a girl wielding a new type of RPG, you know it's them.

Around the same time, the Yggdmillennia family completed their aftermath tasks, and the members dispersed.

Avicebron and Roche left Millennia Castle to continue their research at the Frain family's workshop.

The much-anticipated Primordial Giant Adam used all his strength to restrain the Hydra and the poisonous dragon Basilisk during the last battle in the garden, creating a decisive opportunity for Chiron and the others. As a result, Adam shattered into pieces, unable to fulfill his goal of saving humanity.

However, Avicebron had no regrets. Only with the world's continued existence could salvation be possible, and this was also a choice made by Adam of his own will. Whether another Primordial Giant would be born in the future to continue this mission was another story.

Sieg and Astolfo began their world tour, a plan made before the final battle. Their first stop was the Netherlands, strongly recommended by Shinji. The official reason was that the Netherlands was beautiful and they would love it, but everyone knew the real reason.

Gordes also left, taking Toole and some homunculi back to the Musik family to continue research on extending the homunculi's lifespan and to educate his son properly to prevent him from repeating his own mistakes.

In his words:

"That's my son. If I don't give him a good thrashing now, he'll turn into another me. I need to make him see reality and tell him that our family line is full of hopeless failures. Any past victories are just fairy tales from a distant land."

"That's quite a nightmare."

Behind Gordes, Toole said this with a nonchalant expression.

"But it's okay. If it comes to that, I'll use this to give him a proper beating."

The "this" she referred to was the phantasmal greatsword she had obtained from Sieg. Toole could now handle this Noble Phantasm freely, including releasing its true name if necessary. With her protection, there was no need to worry about safety, even without a Servant.

"Please don't hold back," Gordes casually sold out his son, looking nothing like a loving father.

"Hmph, that includes you—you are the father, and you need to fulfill your responsibilities as a parent."

Toole gave her creator a cold glance, to which he could only sigh helplessly.

"Worse than a nightmare."

Of course, to others, the two seemed like a very good team. With them, there was a genuine chance that the Musik family might see a revival.

Fiore, Achilles, and Atalanta stayed at Millennia Castle to fulfill their commitments.

No longer reliant on a wheelchair, Fiore mobilized the resources of the entire Yggdmillennia family to help Atalanta establish orphanages and charitable foundations, starting in Romania. They had already taken in a group of orphans and provided support to some impoverished families.

Atalanta poured all her passion into this cause, feeling immense happiness whenever she saw the children's smiles.

It's worth mentioning that such a pure money-burning, non-profitable charitable cause naturally faced resistance. Opposition within the family had occurred more than once. The Yggdmillennia family, a coalition of declining families with complex factions, had many who did not want Fiore to become the head.

But in the face of absolute power, no matter how loud the voice, it's meaningless. A certain protector was bored, and upon hearing someone causing trouble, he went around having "friendly and cordial" conversations. Compared to playing with the children, Achilles preferred subduing various dissidents. In this age where the gods had already left, his immortality was equivalent to invincibility.

Soon, no one dared to voice opposition again, and Fiore's dominance approached that of the once formidable Darnic.

Reika Rikudou and Jack the Ripper were also not idle. Jack became the leader of the children in the orphanage, while Reika became Fiore's advisor. This naturally strategic individual finally had a place to exert her power. The family's revival and the suppression of dissenting voices were mostly her handiwork. It was because of her assistance that Chiron felt at ease to leave.

Under the two's management, the Yggdmillennia family shone with new vigor. It could be foreseen that in the not-too-distant future, this family would shed its reputation as a coalition of failures and truly secure its place, and these two women would become distinguished figures in their own right.

However, looking at the thriving scene before them, the two future prominent figures did not feel much joy. While the family's development was certainly due to their efforts, it was more so due to the resources left by that guy who had departed without a word. He had quietly arranged everything before leaving, providing them with a stable home.

But the one they most cared about had vanished and never returned. Only in dreams could they occasionally glimpse that familiar figure, waking up with tears faintly at the corners of their eyes.

"Will we meet again?"

...

"—Of course you will. As long as you hold onto hope, miracles will happen."

In some corner outside the Type-Moon universe, a black-haired young man with a smile similar to Amakusa Shirou Tokisada closed a book and casually tossed a blue crystal.

"By doing this, am I creating another contender for the throne for that guy? Oh well, it's his fault for flirting with girls; if he gets stabbed, it's not my problem."

The crystal sank into the ground, disappearing in a flash.

"What are you doing?"

A woman in an evening gown, exuding a decadent air, walked over with light steps.

"Nothing, just read Shakespeare's latest work and felt a bit inspired, so I decided to send another gift over."

"That useless writer? Did he finish it?"

"Yep. Do you want to take a look?"

"Alright, let me see what nonsense he's written this time."

The woman hesitated for a moment but took it anyway.

"You won't be disappointed."

The young man smiled confidently.

"If you appreciate him so much, why not bring him along?"

"I invited him, but he refused. He said the outside world might be bigger, but his favorite place is still the world he once lived in, where he can continue writing, and that's enough for him."

"Such a Caster-like answer."

"Right, right."

"In other words, I'm the only one who boarded your pirate ship?"

The woman raised an eyebrow, pretending to be displeased.

"Regret it?"

The young man asked.

"A little."

"Too late. Do you think you can run after boarding the pirate ship? I have my pride, you know."

"I won't run."

The woman shook her head.

"But you should be prepared; one day I might betray you. I am the oldest poisoner, after all."

"Will you?"

The young man looked up, his eyes clear.

The woman did not answer, nor did she need to. Betrayal—no matter how you answer, it's meaningless. Only actions are the best proof.

"What's next?"

"Back to my homeland, to construct the 'Heroic Spirit System.' With the data from this Holy Grail War, heroes from history can appear again. With their help, we'll have a better chance of fighting against the Star Ruler."

"Is that your true purpose for participating in the Holy Grail War?"

"Indeed. So, are you interested in becoming the administrator of this system?"

"I am. I haven't yet tasted the experience of ruling people from another world."

"Then it's settled. We're almost at the World Gate. Let me first see if anything interesting has happened recently... What the heck!!! How can it be this bad!!!"

"What's wrong?"

Hearing the young man suddenly curse, the woman asked curiously.

"In one of the world lines, I'm doing terribly. It's bad enough to curse my wife, but cursing someone else's wife? How embarrassing... No, I can't stand it—just in time, the Heroic Spirit System's initial launch needs testing. Let's use you as a test subject. Playing with resurrection? Fine, let's see who can outplay whom!"

A flash of brilliance appeared in the young man's eyes, and the trajectory of a parallel world changed accordingly.

End of this volume.